SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In response to the unmet needs of survivors following the Valley Fire, a long term recovery committee (LTRC) has been established. This committee, Team Lake County (TLC), has requested the expertise of a national disaster recovery group to determine who in the community will need additional assistance from voluntary agencies to rebuild and recover from the fire.

World Renew Disaster Response Services has agreed to conduct a survey to identify the disaster-related needs of survivors identified as needing additional assistance. These surveys will take place from Wednesday, Jan. 20 through Thursday, Feb. 4 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily.  The team will be located at the Middletown Community Meeting Room at 21256 Washington St., Middletown, CA 95461 for most of its stay.

On both Wednesday, Jan. 27 and Thursday, Jan. 28 the team will be in the field meeting with survivors.

The information given to World Renew is confidential and will assist designated case managers to help residents connect with available resources. The information will also help to develop a detailed estimate of the total cost for recovery in the community, which aids the LTRC raise the necessary recovery funds and donations.

LTRCs are organized in communities across the country from a variety of organizations, such as church denominations, local charities, community foundations and some independent groups, such as nondenominational churches, or businesses.

The role of the LTRC is to determine and provide reasonable unmet needs for as many individuals and families as possible that cannot be further assisted by the state or federal government.  

FEMA plays a part as well, assigning a liaison to help coordinate the LTRCs’ efforts and provide advice. The liaison also reviews benefit requests to make sure there are no duplications.

John Chavez, who fills the FEMA liaison position for the Lake County wildfire, said the LTRC will “not replace a swimming pool, but may replace lost siding and even give a house a new paint job.”

While one part of the LTRC works to fill survivors’ needs, another part of the organization works to recruit volunteer organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the Mennonite Disaster Services and others to come in and repair or rebuild homes. Still others secure grants large enough to meet most, if not all, of the unmet needs.

“The dollars can go into the millions,” Chavez added. “If there is surplus, we can use the money to replace furniture, appliances and other items that will help people get back on their feet.”

For more information, go to the TLC website at teamlakecounty.org.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards.